PROTECTIVE CASE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/575,466, filed on Apr. 5, 2024, and titled “Protective Case,” the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to protective cases, and more specifically to a protective device for roll-on tube.

BACKGROUND

Lip balm containers come in various shapes and sizes, tailored to the preferences of users and the branding needs of manufacturers. Lip balm containers range from small, portable tubes that fit easily in a pocket or purse, to elegant pots that require fingertip application, and eco-friendly options made from biodegradable materials. These containers are designed not only for functionality, keeping the lip balm protected and hygienic, but also for aesthetic appeal, often reflecting the brand's identity or the product's natural ingredients. Innovative designs for lip balm containers may include features like attached mirrors or applicators to enhance user experience.

Roll-on tubes, such as lip balm containers for lip balm, such as Chapstick™ containers, include an integrated wheel (e.g., dial) that rotates to extend or retract the lip balm or other substance held within the container. These containers often end up in pockets or purses, leading to inadvertent rotation of the integrated wheel. As a result, the substance extends out of the container (e.g., roll-on tube), leading to wastage. There is a need for a solution that prevents the wheel from spinning unintentionally.

Additionally, warm temperatures may also cause issues with lip balm containers. For instance, the containers often do not offer sufficient insulation to reduce heat exchange, causing lip balm within the container to melt when the container is exposed to warm environments. As a result, the melted lip balm may have insufficient rigidity to interact with the wheel. The content of the tube, such as the lip balm, may then become stuck within the container, leading to wastage. Once a user removes the lid from the container, the product may then break away from the container and remain within the lid, potentially creating a mess and leading to wastage.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates broadly to a protective case for a cylindrical container. In a first example, the protective case includes a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, a bottom portion on an opposite end of the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening, wherein the second opening is configured to provide access to a wheel of the cylindrical container while the cylindrical container is enveloped by the protective case.

In a second example, a slider with an adhesive may be provided for attachment to the cylindrical container, where the slider is coupled to the cylindrical container through the second opening on the side of the protective case, where the slider is configured to move the cylindrical container to extend the cylindrical container or to retract the cylindrical container relative to the protective case.

In a third example, the present disclosure includes a cap for preventing inadvertent spinning of a wheel of a cylindrical container, the cap includes a cylindrical side, a bottom, and an opening opposite the bottom, wherein the cap is configured to removably engage with the cylindrical container such that the cap envelops the wheel.

In a fourth example, the protective case for protecting a cylindrical container includes a protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, a bottom portion on an opposite end of the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening; and a slide casing having a slider extending radially from a side wall of the slide casing, wherein the slide casing is adapted to be disposed in the protective sleeve, and the slider is adapted to be slidably disposed in the second opening.

In a fifth example, the protective case for protecting a cylindrical container includes a protective sleeve having a first end and a second end, a first opening for receiving the cylindrical container, and a second opening at the second end adapted to couple to a base; and collapsible rings coupled to the base, having ring portions that are adapted to extend a platform coupled to the collapsible rings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a particular description may be had by reference to aspects, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only certain aspects of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the description may admit to other equally effective aspects. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a lip balm protective case, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the protective case according to FIG. 1, a cylindrical container, and the protective case according to FIG. 1 with a cylindrical container disposed in the interior of the protective case.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a cap for protecting a cylindrical container, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of the cap according to FIG. 3A, with a cylindrical container.

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a protective case, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a diagram of a slider, in accordance with the various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a diagram of the protective case of FIG. 4A and the slider of FIG. 4B, in accordance with the various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4D is a diagram of the protective case of FIG. 4A and the slider of FIG. 4B, in accordance with the various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a back perspective view of a diagram of a slide casing, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a diagram of a protective sleeve, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C is a front perspective view of a diagram of a slide casing, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5D is a side perspective view of a diagram of a slide casing, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is a diagram of the slide casing of FIG. 5A and the protective sleeve of FIG. 5B, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a diagram of the slide casing of FIG. 5A, the protective sleeve of FIG. 5B, and a container, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the slide casing is extended upward.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of collapsible rings, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of the collapsible rings of FIG. 7A, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the collapsible rings are in an extended position.

FIG. 7C is a diagram of the collapsible rings of FIG. 7A and a protective sleeve, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the collapsible rings are in an retracted position.

FIG. 7D is a diagram of the collapsible rings of FIG. 7A and a protective sleeve, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, where the collapsible rings are in an retracted position.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of using a protective case for a cylindrical container, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an apparatus or method, which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the disclosure set forth. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.

Several aspects of container protection systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses. These apparatuses will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For case of explanation, various aspects of the present disclosure are described with respect to a lip balm container. Still, aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated for a roll-on container or any other type of cylindrical container.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to preventing the inadvertent spinning of the wheel on the container. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, a protective case 100 having a cylindrical shape is provided for protecting a cylindrical container. The protective case 100 has a cylindrical shape with a first end 103, a second end 105, sides 102, and a bottom 104 proximal to the second end 105. The interior surfaces of the sides 102 and bottom 104 define an interior volume. One or more flanges 101 may be provided in the interior to retain the container in position relative to the protective case 100. It would be understood that one or more flanges 101 may be provided, and the locations of the flanges 101 in the interior of the protective case 100 may be varied. A top opening 106 (first opening) is sized to receive a cylindrical container, such as a lip balm container, which may be slid into the interior volume of the protective case 100 through the top opening 106. The sides 102 include a side opening 108 (second opening). The side opening 108 allows access to the container, which a user may use to manipulate the positions of the container relative to the protective case 100. It would be appreciated that the size of the side opening 108 may be varied, and that additional side openings may be provided. The protective case 100 has an axial length that is slightly longer than the container, and the top opening 106 has a slightly larger diameter than the container to provide a safe and secure fit for the container. The protective case 100 is adapted to allow the user to easily slide the container in and out of the case as needed. However, in the absence of a user applying a force to remove the container, the container will remain within the protective case 100 by frictional engagement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a container 200, such as a lip balm container, where the container 200 is placed in the protective case 100. The container 200 includes a wheel 202 to extend and retract contents in the container 200. The container 200 also has a cover 204.

The design of the protective case 100 enables the user to access the wheel 202 on the container 200 without fully removing the container 200 from the protective case 200. The side opening 108 of the case is positioned to allow the user to interact with the wheel 202, making it convenient to extend or retract the lip balm container 200 without the risk of inadvertent spinning. This design ensures that the lip balm container 200 remains secure within the protective case 100 while allowing easy access to the product. The exterior surface of the sides 102 may be smooth or have a textured surface to improve the case of gripping the protective case 100. Textures sides 108 may provide improved ease of use, particularly if a user's hands are covered in lip balm, making their hands slippery.

Additionally, the protective case 100 may thermoregulate the container. For example, material of the protective case 100 may reduce thermal energy transfer between the container and the container's environment, such as a user's pocket. In some implementations, the protective case 100 may comprise an insulation material such as cellulose or ceramic fiber, additionally increasing the thermoregulatory properties of the protective case. The protective case 100 may be formed from plastic or another suitable material. In one example, the protective case 100 may be formed by a mold of a single unitary component. Alternatively, the protective case 100 is formed from separate components.

In another example illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B, a protective cap 300 is provided that covers a bottom portion of the container 200, including the wheel 202. The cap 300 is designed to fit securely over the container 200, offering protection and preventing accidental movement of the wheel. The cap 300 acts as a barrier between the external environment and the container 200. When the user places the container 200 in their pocket or purse, the user can attach the cap 300 over the container 200, and the cap 300 remains in contact with the container 200 by frictional engagement. The cap securely covers the wheel 202 on the container 200, preventing the wheel 202 from turning inadvertently. This ensures that the lip balm remains retracted within the container 200 and helps to avoid wastage. The cap 300 includes a cylindrical side 302, and bottom 304, and a top opening 306 opposite the bottom 304. Flanges 301 may be provided in the interior volume of the cap 300 to retain the cap 300 to a container 200.

When the user wants to access the lip balm, the user can easily remove the protective cap 300. The cap 300 can be designed with features like a snap-on mechanism, a twist-off design, or a push-button release, depending on the specific implementation. In some implementations, the inside of the cap 300 may include an interaction portion configured to interact with the wheel 202. For example, the inside of the cap may include a number of serrations and/or a friction material such as rubber. When the cap 300 is placed over the wheel 202, the interaction portion engages with the wheel 202. For instance, serrations on the interaction portion may interlock with serrations on the wheel 202. If a rotational force is applied to the cap 300 while the cap 300 engulfs the wheel 202, the interaction portion may impart the rotational force onto the wheel 202. In some examples, the user may twist the wheel 202 by twisting the cap 400. Additionally, the contact between the inside portion of the cap and the surface of the container 200 may increase the rotational force required to rotate the cap 300. The increased rotational force required to rotate the cap 300 may allow intentional rotation of the wheel 202 via a user twisting the cap 300, while disallowing unintentional rotation of the wheel 202 via the cap 300 rubbing against a surface, such as the inside of the user's pocket.

In another example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-D, a protective case 400 is provided, and the protective case 400 includes a slider 410 that allows a user to extend the container 200 out of the protective case 400. The slider 410 includes a body 420 with ridges 422 on the front of the body 420 for easier sliding by a user, and the back of the body 420 includes an adhesive configured to couple to a surface of a container 200. The slide 410 may be coupled to a portion of the container 200 that is exposed by the side opening 408 when the container 200 is positioned within the protective case 400. The slider 410 extends radially outward from the protective case through the side opening 408 and the slider 410 may retain the container 200 in the protective case 200, while allowing for axial movement of the container 200 in relation to the protective case 200. The attachment of the slider 410 to the container 200 also restricts the rotational movement of the container 200 in relation to the protective case 400. The width of the slider 410 is slightly smaller than the width of the side opening 408. The back of the slider 410 may have a curved surface which corresponds to the curved surface of the cylindrical container 200. The front side of the slider 410 may have a curved surface that corresponds to the curve of the protective case 400 to provide a low profile to reduce inadvertent contact with the slider 410.

The slider 410 allows a user to slide the container 200 within the protective case 400. In some examples, to remove the container 200 from the protective case 400, the slider 410 may be removed from the container 200 by pulling the adhesively coupled slider 410 from the container 200. The container 200, now unobstructed by the slider 410, may then be removed from the protective case 400. The slider 410 allows easy manipulation of the container 200, while also serving to retain the container 200 in the protective case 400.

In another example illustrated in FIGS. 5A-D, a slide casing 512 (shown in FIG. 5A) is provided for use with a protective sleeve 500 (shown in FIG. 5B) to form a protective case 600. FIG. 5A illustrates an example of the slide casing 512, which has an open cylindrical shape that is adapted to receive a container 200, and the slide casing 512 is adapted to be received in the protective sleeve 600. The slide casing 512 includes a raised slider 510 that extends radially from the slide casing side walls 514. FIG. 5A is a back view of the slide casing 512, FIG. 5C is a front view, and FIG. 5D is a side view of the slide casing 512. The side walls 514 do not fully enclose the interior volume, and have a C-shape when viewed from above or below the slide casing 512. This open aspect allows for the side walls 514 to flex in order to secure a container 200, in the interior volume of the slide casing 512. The side walls 514 also include side openings 516, which may reduce the bulk or weight of the slide casing 512 and/or reduce the amount of contact between the slide casing 512 and the protective sleeve 500 to provide the desired amount of frictional resistance to the movement of the slide casing 512 relative to the protective sleeve 500.

In some examples, the protective sleeve 500 includes sides 502, a bottom, 504, a top opening 506, and a side opening 508. The protective sleeve 500 is adapted to receive the slide casing 512 in the interior volume of the protective sleeve 500, including the slider 510 that extends radially outward from the slide casing through the side opening 508. As the slide casing 510 does not include a complete cylinder, a user can bend the slide casing 512 slightly so that it is able to be inserted into the protective sleeve 500. Once disposed in the protective sleeve 500, the slide casing 512 returns to its original shape, and is slidably held in the protective sleeve. The slider 510 helps to retain the slide casing 512 in the protective sleeve 500, along with frictional engagement between the outer surface of the slide casing 512 and the inner surface of the protective sleeve 500.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B, the slide casing 512 may be slidably engaged with the protective sleeve 500 such that the slide casing 512 can extend in and out of the protective sleeve 500. A user can push the slider 510 to extend and retract the slide casing 512 within the protective sleeve 500. At full extension, the slide casing 512 may partially extend out of the protective sleeve 500. The slide casing 512 is further configured to receive a container, such as container 200. For instance, the slide casing 512 may partially envelop the container 512. By pulling the container 200 out of the top of the protective sleeve 500, a user can remove the container 200 so that the user can place a new container 200 within the slide casing 512.

In another example illustrated in FIGS. 7A-D, collapsible rings 712 having ring portions 720A-D which are concentric rings configured to nest within the adjacent ring portions 720A-D. The collapsible rings 712 include a base 722, and the collapsible rings 712 may couple to a protective sleeve 700 such that the collapsible rings 712 may be collapsed or extended upward toward the top of the protective sleeve 700. The protective sleeve 700 is an open cylinder, that is adapted to receive a container 200 in the interior volume of the cylinder. The protective sleeve 700 may include flanges 701 to retain the container 200 in the protective sleeve 700. The collapsible rings 712 and protective sleeve 700 together form a protective case 800. The collapsible rings 712 include a platform 718 distal to the base 722 for contacting a container 200 to extend or retract the container 200.

The ring portions 720A-D of the concentric rings 712 may be elevated via a pushing action or a twisting mechanism such that twisting the base 722 (e.g., applying a rotational force) elevates the platform 718 of the concentric rings 712. By placing a container 200 within the protective sleeve 700, a user may vertically extend the collapsible rings 712 to raise the container 200. In another example, the container may have a bottom portion removed, and the collapsible rings 712 may then extend through the container 200, displacing material within the container 200 and pushing the material out of the container 200. By pushing the material via the collapsible rings 712, a user may be able to remove substantially all of the material from within the container 200.

In still some implementations, the base 722 is removably coupled to the protective sleeve 700, and when coupled together, forms a protective case 800. A user may twist the base 722 to disengage the base 722 from the protective sleeve 700. The user may then adjust the collapsible rings 712 by extending the collapsible rings 712 out of the base 722. Once extended, the user may twist the collapsible rings 712 and/or the base 722 to lock the collapsible rings 712 in place, thereby preventing the collapsible rings 712 from further extension or contraction. The user may then use the now rigid collapsible rings 712 as a rod to push material out of the container 200.

Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to a lip balm container. As discussed, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a protective case for a roll-on tube. The roll-on tube is a type of cylindrical container, which includes, but is not limited to, lip stick containers, glue stick containers, containers of edible substances, and sunscreen containers.

In various implementations, the protective case may include thermal regulation enhancements, such as a dual-wall structure with a vacuum layer or foam-based insulation to minimize heat transfer. This may be desirable for temperature-sensitive content, such as medicated balms or food-grade cylindrical containers (e.g., honey butter sticks or deodorants). In another example, the interior of the protective case may be lined with a phase-change material to stabilize temperature fluctuations over extended durations.

Various aspects of the present disclosure may include the incorporation of sensors and feedback mechanisms. For instance, the protective case may include a thermochromic material or a printed indicator that changes color if internal temperatures exceed a critical threshold, signaling potential melting of contents. Alternatively, a user-alert system, such as a tactile bump or audible click, may be integrated into the cap to indicate secure locking over the wheel, confirming anti-rotation status.

In some examples, the slider or slide casing may also incorporate guiding tracks or detents along the inner walls of the protective sleeve to provide tactile resistance and prevent accidental sliding. In some examples, the slider may include a locking tab or latch mechanism that allows it to snap into a resting position to keep the cylindrical container securely in place when not in use.

In some examples, the protective case may be adapted to accommodate containers of varying sizes through an adjustable sleeve. For instance, the sleeve may include internal shims, deformable liners, or an expandable polymer structure that adapts to the specific diameter of the cylindrical container, ensuring a snug fit. Alternatively, a set of modular sleeves or insert rings may be provided to users to adapt the protective case for multiple product formats.

Additionally, or alternatively, the cap or case may include a retention strap, loop, or clip mechanism for attachment to a user's bag, keychain, or belt loop, promoting portability while reducing the chance of accidental activation in transit. Additionally, the protective case may be manufactured from biodegradable, compostable, or recycled materials to support environmentally sustainable applications, especially where single-use or refillable lip balm products are concerned.

Further, in examples involving collapsible rings, the ring structure may include internal screw threads or a helical track system that elevates the platform in response to rotation, providing finer control and stronger resistance to mechanical fatigue. In some examples, the collapsible rings may be spring-loaded or telescopic, allowing automatic extension once a locking mechanism is disengaged.

Moreover, while many aspects are described for consumer personal care products, such as lip balm or sunscreen, aspects of the present disclosure also contemplate uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or food industries. For example, the protective case could house a stick-based medication or oral dosage form, and include tamper-evident seals or child-resistant locking mechanisms on the slider or cap.

As discussed, various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a protective case for a cylindrical container, such as a lip balm, sunscreen, lipstick, glue stick, or an edible substance container. The protective case includes a first and second end, a first opening to receive the cylindrical container, a bottom portion opposite the first opening, and a second opening perpendicular to the first opening. This second opening allows access to a wheel of the cylindrical container while the container remains enveloped by the protective case, thereby enabling user interaction without removal of the container. The second opening may extend along the entire length of the protective case and be configured to allow an outside force to slidably engage the container. One or more flanges may be included at the first end to create resistance against unintentional insertion or removal of the container. In some embodiments, a slider is positioned through the second opening and adhered to the container to enable vertical movement while also securing the container within the case.

In some examples, a protective cap may engage with the container and prevent unintentional rotation of the container's wheel. This cap comprises a cylindrical side, a bottom, and a top opening, and may include internal flanges for retention as well as inner teeth that interlock with outer teeth of the container's wheel to block rotation. In additional embodiments, a protective sleeve and a slide casing are used in combination to house the cylindrical container. The slide casing may include a slider extending radially from its side wall, which fits into the second opening of the protective sleeve, allowing for controlled axial movement. The slide casing may include apertures to reduce weight and enhance flexibility and may partially surround and retain the cylindrical container.

Additionally, or alternatively, the protective case may include a base coupled to collapsible rings that support a platform. These collapsible rings, which may be extended by rotating the base, allow the platform to push material out of the container-either by elevating the container or by entering the container body directly when a bottom portion is removed. The platform and collapsible rings may be locked into position and manipulated to extract nearly all contents from the container. These various configurations offer improved control, protection, temperature regulation, and content extraction functionality for cylindrical containers used across personal care, cosmetic, and food-related applications.

To utilize the protective case for a cylindrical container, a user first inserts the container into the interior volume of the protective case through a top opening. The cylindrical container may be, for example, a lip balm container, a glue stick, or any similarly shaped roll-on product. The interior surface of the protective case may include one or more flanges or frictional surfaces configured to retain the container securely during use and transport. In certain implementations, the protective case includes a side opening configured to receive a slider. The slider may be adhesively attached to the container through the side opening and extends outward, allowing a user to slidably adjust the vertical position of the container within the case. The side opening of the protective case also allows direct access to a wheel or dial portion of the container, which the user may rotate to dispense or retract the contents of the container without removing the container from the protective case. In certain embodiments, a protective cap may be removably attached to the container to envelop the wheel, thereby preventing inadvertent rotation during storage or transport. The protective cap may include internal flanges or interlocking structures to enhance engagement with the container. Additionally, the protective case may be constructed from thermally insulating materials to reduce heat transfer and mitigate melting or deformation of the product in warm environments, such as inside a user's pocket. When needed, the user may slide the container upward using the slider or remove the container entirely from the protective case for replacement or refill. Optional enhancements may include a collapsible ring mechanism for elevating the container, a slide casing with integrated slider for improved control, modular fit adjustments to accommodate differently sized containers, or environmentally sustainable materials such as biodegradable plastics. These features collectively improve usability, hygiene, and content preservation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process 850 of using a protective case for a cylindrical container, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the process 850 begins at block 802, where a user inserts a cylindrical container into the protective case through a first opening. The cylindrical container may be, for example, a lip balm container, a glue stick, or a container for an edible or cosmetic substance.

At block 804, the user may optionally engage a slider through a side opening of the protective case. The slider may be adhesively coupled to the cylindrical container and is adapted to allow axial movement of the container relative to the case. At block 806, the user may access a wheel of the cylindrical container via the side opening of the protective case. This access allows the user to rotate the wheel to extend or retract the contents of the cylindrical container without removing the container from the case. At block 808, the user may attach a protective cap over the wheel of the cylindrical container. The protective cap is configured to prevent unintentional rotation of the wheel, such as during transport or storage, and may include interlocking features or flanges to secure the cap to the container. The cylindrical container benefits from the passive thermal insulation provided by the protective case. The case may be formed from an insulating material that reduces thermal energy transfer and prevents the melting or deformation of the container's contents in elevated temperatures. At block 810, the user may slide the container vertically using the slider or remove the container entirely from the case for replacement or refilling. Various optional enhancements may be included, such as a collapsible ring mechanism configured to push the container upward or expel material from within the container, a slide casing adapted to provide secure axial movement, a modular or adjustable sleeve to accommodate containers of varying diameters, or the use of environmentally sustainable materials for the case and components.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software. As used, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or a combination of hardware and software.

Some aspects are described in connection with thresholds. As used, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context, refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, and/or the like.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of various aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set. A phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c, as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., a-a, a-a-a, a-a-b, a-a-c, a-b-b, a-c-c, b-b, b-b-b, b-b-c, c-c, and c-c-c or any other ordering of a, b, and c).

No element, act, or instruction used should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Furthermore, as used, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items, and/or the like), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” and/or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.